초록 ▼

A net structure for attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle includes a mesh structure, a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, and an overload indicator. Upon a rollover event during operation of a vehicle, to which the net structure is attached, with the net structure in a lowered,

A net structure for attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle includes a mesh structure, a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, and an overload indicator. Upon a rollover event during operation of a vehicle, to which the net structure is attached, with the net structure in a lowered, closed configuration, an operator of the vehicle may impact the net structure, causing the net structure to deflect outwardly. This outward deflection of the net structure may cause the overload indicator to become visible, which provides an indication to an operator or other person associated with the vehicle that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised, such that replacement of the net structure may be warranted.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A net structure for attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle, the net structure comprising: a mesh structure;a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, each of the mesh structure and the reinforcement structure being flexible;means for attaching the net structure to a roll cage of a

1. A net structure for attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle, the net structure comprising: a mesh structure;a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, each of the mesh structure and the reinforcement structure being flexible;means for attaching the net structure to a roll cage of a vehicle, the means for attaching the net structure being attached to the reinforcement structure; andan overload indicator associated with the means for attaching the net structure; whereinthe overload indicator is at least substantially entirely obscured from view by at least one of the reinforcement structure and the means for attaching the net structure, until such time that a tensile force, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force, is applied to the means for attaching the net structure wherein at least a portion of the means for attaching the net structure separates from the reinforcement structure such that at least a portion of the overload indicator is visible and indicates that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised. 2. The net structure of claim 1, wherein: the means for attaching the net structure comprises a clip assembly, the clip assembly being configured for releasable attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle. 3. The net structure of claim 1, wherein: the overload indicator is attached to at least one of the reinforcement structure and the means for releasably attaching the net structure;the overload indicator has a first color and at least one of the reinforcement structure and the flexible member has a second color; andthe first color is different than the second color. 4. The net structure of claim 1, wherein: the means for attaching the net structure comprises a flexible member attached to the reinforcement structure; andthe overload indicator is fixed to at least one of the flexible member and the reinforcement structure. 5. The net structure of claim 4, wherein: the overload indicator comprises thread sewn to the flexible member. 6. The net structure of claim 4, wherein: the overload indicator comprises a patch fixedly attached to the flexible member. 7. The net structure of claim 4, wherein: the overload indicator comprises a substance applied to the flexible member, the substance comprising at least one of dye, ink and paint. 8. The net structure of claim 4, wherein: the flexible member comprises a strap. 9. A net structure comprising: a mesh structure;a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, each of the mesh structure and the reinforcement structure being flexible;means for attaching the net structure to a roll cage of a vehicle, the means for attaching the net structure being attached to the reinforcement structure and configured for attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle; andan overload indicator associated with the means for attaching the net structure; whereinthe overload indicator is at least substantially entirely obscured from view by at least one of the reinforcement structure and the means for attching the net structure, until such time that a tensile force, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force, is applied to the means for attaching the net structure wherein at least a portion of the overload indicator is visible and indicates that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised;the means for attaching the net structure comprises a flexible member attached to the reinforcement structure;the overload indicator is fixed to at least one of the flexible member and the reinforcement structure;the overload indicator comprises a flag positioned between the flexible member and the reinforcement structure;the flag comprises a first portion fixedly attached to at least one of the flexible member and the reinforcement structure; andthe flag further comprises a second portion that is movable relative to each of the flexible member and the reinforcement structure when a tensile force, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force, is applied to the flexible member such that the second portion of the flag is visible and indicates that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised. 10. The net structure of claim 9, wherein: the flag comprises a resilient material. 11. A net structure comprising: a mesh structure;a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, each of the mesh structure and the reinforcement structure being flexible;means for attaching the net structure to a roll cage of a vehicle, the means for attaching the net structure being attached to the reinforcement structure, the means for attaching the net structure comprising a clip assembly, the clip assembly being configured for releasable attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle;an overload indicator associated with the means for attaching the net structure; whereinthe overload indicator is at least substantially entirely obscured from view by at least one of the reinforcement structure and the means for attaching the net structure, until such time that a tensile force, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force, is applied to the means for attaching the net structure wherein at least a portion of the overload indicator is visible and indicates that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised;the clip assembly comprises a flexible member attached to the reinforcement structure and a clip associated with the flexible member;the overload indicator is fixed to at least one of the flexible member and the reinforcement structure; andthe clip is pivotally connected to the flexible member. 12. A net structure for attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle, the net structure comprising: a mesh structure;a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, each of the mesh structure and the reinforcement structure being flexible;a clip assembly comprising a flexible member and a clip associated with the flexible member, the flexible member being attached to the reinforcement structure, the clip assembly being configured for releasable attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle; andan overload indicator associated with the flexible member of the clip assembly; whereinthe overload indicator is at least substantially entirely obscured from view by at least one of the reinforcement structure and the flexible member of the clip assembly, until such time that a tensile force, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force, is applied to the flexible member of the clip assembly wherein at least a portion of the flexible member rotates away from the reinforcement structure such that at least a portion of the overload indicator is spaced from at least one of the flexible member and the reinforcement structure and is visible, indicating that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised. 13. A net structure comprising: a mesh structure;a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, each of the mesh structure and the reinforcement structure being flexible;a clip assembly comprising a flexible member and a clip associated with the flexible member, the flexible member being attached to the reinforcement structure, the clip assembly being configured for releasable attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle; andan overload indicator associated with the flexible member of the clip assembly; whereinthe overload indicator is at least substantially entirely obscured from view by at least one of the reinforcement structure and the flexible member of the clip assembly, until such time that a tensile force, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force, is applied to the flexible member wherein at least a portion of the overload indicator is visible and indicates that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised; andthe clip is pivotally connected to the flexible member. 14. The net structure of claim 13, wherein: the clip assembly further comprises a ring member and a connector, the ring member being attached to the flexible member and spaced apart from the clip, the connector being pivotally attached to the flexible member, the clip being pivotally attached to the connector; andthe flexible member is configured to wrap at least partially around a stay attached to a roll cage of a vehicle, and the clip is configured for releasable attachment to the ring member, to facilitate releasable attachment of the clip assembly to a roll cage of a vehicle. 15. The net structure of claim 14, wherein: the overload indicator is attached to at least one of the flexible member and the reinforcement structure. 16. A vehicle comprising: a roll cage; anda net structure attached to the roll cage; whereinthe net structure comprises a mesh structure and a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, each of the mesh structure and the reinforcement structure being flexible;the net structure further comprises means for attaching the net structure to the roll cage, the means for attaching the net structure being attached to the reinforcement structure;the net structure further comprises an overload indicator, the overload indicator being attached to each of the reinforcing structure and the means for attaching the net structure; andthe overload indicator is at least substantially entirely obscured from view by at least one of the reinforcement structure and the means for attaching the net structure, until such time that a tensile force, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force, is applied to the means for attaching the net structure wherein at least a portion of the means for attaching the net structure separates from the reinforcement structure such that at least a portion of the overload indicator is spaced from at least one of the reinforcement structure and the means for attaching the net structure and is visible, indicating that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised. 17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein: the means for attaching the net structure comprises a flexible member attached to the reinforcement structure of the net structure; andat least a portion of the overload indicator is fixedly attached to each of the flexible member and the reinforcement structure. 18. A vehicle comprising: a roll cage; anda net structure attached to the roll cage; whereinthe net structure comprises a mesh structure, a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure and an overload indicator, each of the mesh structure and the reinforcement structure being flexible;the net structure further comprises a clip assembly, the clip assembly comprising a flexible member and a clip, the clip being pivotally connected to the flexible member, the flexible member being attached to the reinforcement structure;the clip assembly is selectively, releasably attached to the roll cage; andthe overload indicator is at least substantially entirely obscured from view by at least one of the reinforcement structure and the flexible member of the clip assembly, until such time that a tensile force, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force, is applied to the flexible member of the clip assembly wherein at least a portion of the flexible member separates from the reinforcement structure such that at least a portion of the overload indicator is visible and indicates that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised. 19. The vehicle of claim 18, further comprising: a seat configured to support an operator of the vehicle; whereinthe roll cage at least partially defines a protected area and at least partially defines an access opening communicating with the protected area, the seat being positioned within the protected area; andthe net structure is selectively configurable in a lowered, closed configuration to at least inhibit passage of an operator of the vehicle through the access opening, the net structure being further selectively configurable in a generally rolled-up, open configuration to facilitate passage of an operator of the vehicle through the access opening;the clip assembly is releasably attached to the roll cage when the net structure is in the lowered, closed configuration; andthe clip assembly is detached from the roll cage when the net structure is configured to facilitate passage of an operator of the vehicle through the access opening. 20. The vehicle of claim 19, further comprising: a plurality of the clip assemblies; anda plurality of the overload indicators, each of the overload indicators being associated with a respective one of the clip assemblies. 21. A vehicle comprising: a roll cage; anda net structure attached to the roll cage; whereinthe net structure comprises a mesh structure, a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure and an overload indicator, each of the mesh structure and the reinforcement structure being flexible;the net structure further comprises a clip assembly, the clip assembly comprising a flexible member, a connector pivotally attached to the flexible member and a clip pivotally attached to the connector, such that the clip is pivotally connected to the flexible member, the flexible member being attached to the reinforcement structure;the clip assembly is selectively, releasably attached to the roll cage; andthe overload indicator is at least substantially entirely obscured from view by at least one of the reinforcement structure and the flexible member of the clip assembly, until such time that a tensile force, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force, is applied to the flexible member of the clip assembly wherein at least a portion of the overload indicator is visible and indicates that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised. 22. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein: the roll cage comprises a tubular member and the vehicle further comprises a stay attached to the tubular member;the clip assembly further comprises a ring member attached to the flexible member and spaced apart from the clip;the flexible member is wrapped at least partially around the stay, and the clip is releasably attached to the ring member when the net structure is in a lowered, closed configuration; andthe flexible member is detached from the stay, and the clip is detached from the ring member, when the net structure is in a generally rolled-up, open configuration. 23. The net structure of claim 21, wherein: the overload indicator comprises thread sewn to the flexible member. 24. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein: the overload indicator comprises a patch fixedly attached to the flexible member. 25. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein: the overload indicator comprises a substance applied to the flexible member, the substance comprising at least one of dye, ink and paint. 26. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the overload indicator comprises a flag positioned between the flexible member and the reinforcement structure;the flag comprises a first portion fixedly attached to at least one of the flexible member and the reinforcement structure; andthe flag further comprises a second portion that is movable relative to each of the flexible member and the reinforcement structure when a tensile force, which is equal to or greater than a predetermined tensile force, is applied to the flexible member such that the second portion of the flag is visible and indicates that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised. 27. The vehicle of claim 26, wherein: the flag comprises a resilient material.